Chapter 1
Christmas was on the way to Hogwarts, and the yuletide joy was infecting students and staff alike. Just a few days were left until the winter break and Harry was looking forward to spending this holiday season with Ginny and their little James Sirius. Hermione and Ron were planning a big holiday party at theirs on boxing day, which everyone was looking forward to. Bill and Fleur were staying with Molly and Arthur for the holidays, then flooing to meet Fleur’s parents in Paris. George and Angelina were having their first holiday as a couple. Charlie was perfectly content decorating the dragon enclosures with holly but would be at Molly and Arthur’s for Christmas day. Luna and Rolf were having their first holiday as a married couple, but Luna still wouldn’t let mistletoe in the house, in case of nargles. Hagrid was beaming, dragging in the usual twelve Hogwarts Christmas trees, and even Minerva had a sprig of holly in her hat.
The one person who didn’t seem to have an extra spring in their step was Neville, the winter was hard on him when nothing would grow well and the sun was weak, but Christmas was difficult in its own right. His parents still showed no progress towards knowing him, and his grandmother wasn’t well these days. Though she might not have been Neville’s favorite person all of the time, she was still the closest family he had and her illness was upsetting him quite a bit. Harry knew what it felt like not to have any close family on Christmas and the type of sadness that could bring, but he still couldn’t imagine what Neville must be feeling.
Harry started to wonder what he could do for his friend, what could possibly make any difference in the face of his troubles. He thought he might seek council from another, far wiser, professor, but upon reaching the headmistress’s office door, he saw that he would have to take a trip back through the castle. The note on the door said, “Out to tea.” And, realising that it was Wednesday, Harry knew he would find her at Hagrids.
He stopped in his office for his winter cloak and then took off across the grounds towards Hagrid's hut at the edge of the forbidden forest. Just as he was walking out of the front doors Neville spotted him and called. “Harry, you’re not going home yet are you?”
“Oh, Neville. No, I’ve got class in an hour and a half, I was just on my way to see Hagrid, it’s been a while.” Harry responded with a smile at his friend, who seemed a bit downhearted coming in from the greenhouse, more so than usual. “Something wrong, Nev?”
“Well, I don’t want to keep you from where you’re going Harry, but yes, my mimbulus mimbletonia just died. You know, the one I got 5th year.” He answered, a sad smile on his face. “I know it’s silly to be so sad over that, but I’ve just had it for so long, and… well I don’t know. I just couldn’t save it.”
Harry shook his head and put his hand on his friend’s shoulder. “I know that’s awful for you, Nev. It was a good plant. Until it was shooting that awful smelling sap all over the train car.” Harry half-joked.
Neville laughed a little and said. “Yeah, thanks mate.”
“No problem, and if you need help with the funeral arrangements, just ask,” Harry said, again as a bit of a joke, but knowing Neville there might just be a funeral.
His friend just laughed again and said. “Actually, would you mind helping me get it into the compost bin tomorrow? It got pretty big in fourteen years and I might need an extra wand.”
“Sure, mate. No problem, just let me know when.” Harry said, patting Neville’s shoulder and turning to start out the door.
“And, thanks, Harry.”
“Don’t mention it, Nev.”
With that Harry opened the door and stepped out into the cold, leaving his friend in a bit better spirits than when they met. Still though, with all that Neville was facing Harry felt bad that he had to lose a beloved plant as well. He ruminated on what to do as he crossed the grounds and he found himself at Hagrid’s front door before he realised it.